Part of the 'pro' campaign gather at the National Trust Plym Valley woods. Photograph: Les Cundy /Plym Valley Cycle Hub

It's not the most likely scenario: an application for a cycle track in Plymouth generating a record public response. As more people tend to complain than compliment, it's even stranger that at least as many have written in support of the plans as against them.

In three weeks, more than 500 letters and emails have flooded into Plymouth City Council's planning offices, with many more uncounted, over the National Trust's plans for a mountain bike course, bike hub and hire centre in nearby Plymbridge Woods – a record for the council.

Tristan Nichols, a reporter for the Plymouth Herald, said: "I have never known anything like it, and I have been doing planning stories for 11 years. With incinerators you expect a lot of interest, but a cycle track, you wouldn't think it would kick off like this."

Plymouth resident Dave Lane started the 'pro' campaign three weeks ago because he felt cyclists were being misrepresented by those opposed to the plans.

He said: "We were getting labelled as litter throwing hooligans."

It seems he wasn't alone. Within 72 hours he and 300 supporters met in the woods for a peaceful gathering and a Facebook group was started, which now has more than 340 'likes'.

Although not a cyclist, one Facebook user, Emma Pedlar, joined the 'pro' campaign. She said:

I read an article in the Herald about it, and just thought: "This is so ridiculous: these people are just opposing this because they don't want have to share their little slice of countryside with bikers." There is so little to do in Plymouth for young people and these trails would be a perfect way for young people to get into a sport, do some regular exercise and actually get out instead of sitting in with computer games.

Adam Williams, Plymouth City Council's case officer for the project, said: "We don't usually get support letters for planning applications. I got an email from Roxane Dunbar [from the 'pro' campaign]. She printed out the Facebook page. We have never seen that before."

Meanwhile, Nichols compared the situation to a tennis match. He receives daily volleys from either side.

Chairman of the Friends of Plymbridge Woods, Arthur Ainslie, said:

The Friends of Plymbridge Woods – newly formed – object on the grounds that mountain bikes in this ancient woodland are totally wrong because of preservation of the wildlife and nature within the woods and because it makes it unsafe for other people within the woods.

He added the group is pro-cycling.

The National Trust says it considered all flora and fauna in the woods and that the proposed tracks will not damage habitats or wildlife. The UK's first Sustrans National Cycle Network route already runs through the woods.

A lot of people think this is going to be a motorway going through the woods, which it isn't.
"What we aren't talking about is a piece of woodland that has been preserved for thousands of years. It is quite a scruffy bit of wood, but it is now bordering on conflict between people because there is no management at the moment.

There is local demand for off-road cycling facilities and according to Toze, many currently travel more than 50 miles to Exeter and Bristol to ride.

Plymouth Schools Sports Partnership, among others, already uses the woods for cycling. The proposed changes will create tracks to suit a range of abilities, but notably to encourage novice and intermediate riders.

Mr Lane said: "It is the economics as well. We go to an off-road centre in South Wales, and you can see it brings tourists to the area. If you are getting children cycling as well it is getting a new generation cycling."